3D liquid crystal display comprising four electrodes alternately arrange between a first and second substrate

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal (LC) lens includes first and second substrates, an LC layer disposed therebetween, and a plurality of first and second electrode structures. Each electrode structure has a plurality of first, second, third and fourth electrodes spaced-apart and alternately arranged along a first direction, where the first and second electrodes are disposed between the first substrate and the LC layer, while the third and fourth electrodes are disposed between the second substrate and the LC layer. In each first electrode structure, each of the first and second electrodes and a corresponding one of the third and fourth electrodes are aligned at a left tilted angle, while in each second electrode structure, each of the first and second electrodes and a corresponding one of the third and fourth electrodes are aligned at a right tilted angle. The first and second electrode structures are alternately arranged along a second direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to stereoscopic display, and moreparticularly to liquid crystal lens structures and applications of thesame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A liquid crystal (LC) lens is an optic assembly which focuses ordiverges light utilizing a birefringent characteristic of LC moleculesand a characteristic of changing arrangement of the LC molecules withelectric-field distribution. The LC lens can change aligning directionsof the LC molecules via changing an operating voltage, so as to achievean effect of changing focus. Such an LC lens operably has a gradientrefractive index, and has been widely used in three-dimensional (3D)image display as a 2D/3D switching device.

A traditional LC lens gives rise to disclination lines of the LCdistribution over the slit electrodes of the LC lens, which results inthe LC refractive index distribution departing from the ideal lenscurvature. Particularly, for oblique incidence of light, the traditionalLC lens loses the parabolic profile of the refractive index.Additionally, the disclination lines of the LC distribution also causethe LC refractive index distribution to be discontinuous.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to an LC lens. In one embodiment,the LC lens includes a first substrate and a second substrate spacedapart from each other, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate, a plurality of first electrodestructures, and a plurality of first electrode structures.

Each first electrode structure comprises a plurality of firstelectrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of thirdelectrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes. The plurality of firstelectrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed betweenthe first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along a first transversal direction, while theplurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes aredisposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer andspaced-apart and alternately arranged along the first transversaldirection, such that each of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes and a corresponding one of the third electrodes and thefourth electrodes of each first electrode structure are aligned at aleft tilted angle, θ₁.

Each second electrode structure comprises a plurality of firstelectrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of thirdelectrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes. The plurality of firstelectrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed betweenthe first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along the first transversal direction, while theplurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes aredisposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer andspaced-apart and alternately arranged along the first transversaldirection, such that each of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes and a corresponding one of the third electrodes and thefourth electrodes of each second electrode structure are aligned at aright tilted angle, θ₂.

The plurality of first electrode structures and the plurality of secondelectrode structures are alternately arranged along a second transversaldirection.

In one embodiment, each two adjacent electrodes in each of the pluralityof first electrode structures and the plurality of second electrodestructures define a space therebetween.

In one embodiment, the plurality of first electrodes and the pluralityof second electrodes of the plurality of first electrode structures andthe plurality of second electrode structures define a first electrodematrix, and the plurality of third electrodes and the plurality offourth electrodes of the plurality of first electrode structures and theplurality of second electrode structures define a second electrodematrix. Each row of the first electrode matrix and a corresponding rowof the second electrode matrix form one of the plurality of firstelectrode structures and the plurality of second electrode structures.Each electrode in each row of the first electrode matrix is overlappedwith the space defined between two corresponding adjacent electrodes inthe corresponding row of the second electrode matrix, and vice versa.

In one embodiment, in the first electrode matrix, the first electrodesare arranged in the odd columns and the second electrodes are arrangedin the even columns, and in the second electrode matrix, the thirdelectrodes are arranged in the odd columns and the fourth electrodes arearranged in the even columns, or vice versa.

In one embodiment, in the first electrode matrix, the first electrodesand the second electrodes are alternately arranged in each column, andin the second electrode matrix, the third electrodes are arranged in theodd columns and the fourth electrodes are arranged in the even columns,or vice versa.

In one embodiment, in the first electrode matrix, the first electrodesand the second electrodes are alternately arranged in each column, andin the second electrode matrix, the third electrodes and the fourthelectrodes are alternately arranged in each column.

In one embodiment, each column of the first electrode matrix is alignedwith a corresponding column of the second electrode matrix, and whereineach column of the first and second electrode matrixes has a firstsub-column and a second sub-column displaced from the first sub-column,such that the first and second sub-columns of each column of the firstelectrode matrix are respectively aligned with the first and secondsub-columns of the corresponding column of the second electrode matrix.

In one embodiment, in one of the first and second electrode matrixes,the first sub-column of each column has electrodes in the odd rows andno electrode in the even rows, and the second sub-column of each columnhas electrodes in the even rows and no electrode in the odd rows, and inthe other of the first and second electrode matrix, the first sub-columnof each electrode column has electrodes in the even rows and noelectrode in the odd rows, and the second sub-column of each column haselectrodes in the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows.

In one embodiment, each electrode of the first and second electrodematrixes has a central portion and two side portions oppositelyextending from the central portion along the transversal direction, andwherein the central portion and the two side portions of each electrodein each row of the first electrode matrix are respectively overlappedwith the space and the two corresponding adjacent electrodes in thecorresponding row of the second electrode matrix, and vice versa.

In one embodiment, the plurality of first electrodes of the firstelectrode matrix is electrically coupled to each other, the plurality ofsecond electrodes of the first electrode matrix is electrically coupledto each other, the plurality of third electrodes of the second electrodematrix is electrically coupled to each other, and the plurality offourth electrodes of the second electrode matrix is electrically coupledto each other.

In operation, a first voltage is applied to the plurality of firstelectrodes of the first electrode matrix, a second voltage is applied tothe plurality of second electrodes of the first electrode matrix, athird voltage is applied to the plurality of third electrodes of thesecond electrode matrix, and a fourth voltage is applied to theplurality of fourth electrodes of the second electrode matrix. The firstvoltage is the same as one of the third and fourth voltages, and thesecond voltage is same as the other of the third and fourth voltages. Inone embodiment, the third and fourth voltages are zero. In anotherembodiment, substantially different from one another. Each of the first,second, third and further voltages is a DC voltage or an AC voltage.

In one embodiment, each electrode of the first electrode structures andthe second electrode structures has a geometric shape of rectangle,square, circle, diamond, or polygon. Each electrode of the firstelectrode structures and the second electrode structures is formed of atransparent conductive material.

In one embodiment, the first substrate and the second substrate have along edge, and wherein the first transversal direction is in parallelwith the long edge or in an inclined angle with the long edge.

Further, the liquid crystal lens may also include a first alignmentlayer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the plurality offirst electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes of the pluralityof first electrode structures and the plurality of second electrodestructures, the first substrate, and a second alignment layer disposedbetween the liquid crystal layer and the plurality of third electrodesand the plurality of fourth electrodes of the plurality of firstelectrode structures and the plurality of second electrode structures,the second substrate.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a display deviceoperably switchable between a two-dimensional (2D) display mode and athree-dimensional (3D) display mode. In one embodiment, the displaydevice has a display panel, and the liquid crystal lens as disclosedabove. The liquid crystal lens is disposed on the display panel.

The display panel includes a liquid crystal display panel, an organiclight emitting display panel, an inorganic light emitting display panel,an electro-wetting display panel, a field emission display panel, or aplasma display panel.

The display panel further has a plurality of pixels arranged in anarray. In one embodiment, the first electrode structures of the liquidcrystal lens are disposed corresponding to odd rows of the pixel arrayand the second electrode structures of the liquid crystal lens aredisposed corresponding to even rows of the pixel array, or vice versus.

The display device also has a power supply for respectively providing afirst voltage to the first electrodes of the first electrode structuresand the second electrode structures; a second voltage to the secondelectrodes of the first electrode structures and the first electrodestructures; a third voltage to the third electrodes of the firstelectrode structures and the second electrode structure; and a fourthvoltage to the fourth electrodes of the first electrode structures andthe second electrode structure.

In one embodiment, the display device operates in the 2D display modewhen the first, second, third and fourth voltages are zero.

In another embodiment, the display device operates in the 3D displaymode when the first voltage is the same as one of the third and fourthvoltages, and the second voltage is same as the other of the third andfourth voltages, where the third and fourth voltages are substantiallydifferent from one another.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method ofdriving the above-disclosed display device that is operably switchablebetween a 2D display mode and a 3D display mode.

The method comprises applying a first voltage to the first electrodes ofthe first electrode structures and the second electrode structures, asecond voltage to the second electrodes of the first electrodestructures and the second electrode structures, a third voltage to thethird electrodes of the first electrode structures and the secondelectrode structure; and a fourth voltage to fourth electrodes of thefirst electrode structures and the second electrode structure,respectively.

In one embodiment, prior to the applying step, the method furthercomprises setting the first, second, third and fourth voltages to bezero, if the display device is set to operate in the 2D display mode.

In one embodiment, prior to the applying step, the method furtherdetecting a location of a viewer; determining whether a viewer is in afirst viewing zone and a second viewing zone, if the display device isset to operate in the 3D display mode; and adjusting the first and thirdvoltages to be a predetermined voltage, and the second and fourthvoltages to be zero, according to the location of the viewer.

In one embodiment, each of the first, second, third and further voltagesis a DC voltage or an AC voltage.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiment taken inconjunction with the following drawings, although variations andmodifications therein may be effected without departing from the spiritand scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and together with the written description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or likeelements of an embodiment, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a liquid crystal (LC) lens according to oneembodiment of the present invention, (A) a cross-sectional view of theLC lens along line A-A′ and (B) a cross-sectional view of the LC lensalong line B-B′;

FIG. 2 shows schematically an LC lens according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, (A) a top view of the LC lens on the secondsubstrate, and (B) a top view of the LC lens on the first substrate;

FIG. 3 shows simulation results of an LC lens according to oneembodiment of the present invention, (A) LC alignments and electricalfield distribution of the LC lens, and (B) refractive indices of the LClens;

FIG. 4 shows simulation results of an LC lens according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, (A) LC alignments and electricalfield distribution of the LC lens, and (B) refractive indices of the LClens;

FIG. 5 shows schematically an electrode matrix of an LC lens accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows schematically an electrode matrix of an LC lens accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows schematically an electrode matrix of an LC lens accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows schematically an electrode structure matrix of an LC lensaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows schematically an electrode matrix of an LC lens accordingto yet a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows schematically an electrode matrix of an LC lens accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows schematically an electrode matrix of an LC lens accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows schematically an LC lens according to one embodiment ofthe present invention, (A) a top electrode matrix of the LC lens on thesecond substrate, (B) a bottom electrode matrix of the LC lens on thefirst substrate, (C) a cross-sectional view of the LC lens along lineA-A′, and (D) a cross-sectional view of the LC lens along line B-B′;

FIG. 13 shows schematically an LC lens according to another embodimentof the present invention, (A) a top electrode matrix of the LC lens onthe second substrate, (B) a bottom electrode matrix of the LC lens onthe first substrate, (C) a cross-sectional view of the LC lens alongline A-A′, and (D) a cross-sectional view of the LC lens along lineB-B′;

FIG. 14 shows schematically an LC lens according to one embodiment ofthe present invention, (A) a top electrode matrix of the LC lens on thesecond substrate, and (B) a bottom electrode matrix of the LC lens onthe first substrate;

FIG. 15 shows schematically an LC lens according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 shows schematically a display device having an LC lens accordingto one embodiment of the present invention, (A) operating in a 2Ddisplay mode; and (B) operating in a 3D display mode; and

FIG. 17 shows schematically a flowchart of operating a display device invarious driving modes according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatsame thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternativelanguage and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the termsdiscussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed uponwhether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms forcertain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification including examples of any terms discussed herein isillustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of theinvention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is notlimited to various embodiments given in this specification.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus,a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including” or “has” and/or“having” when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top”, may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper”, depending of the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

As used herein, “around”, “about”, “substantially” or “approximately”shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent,and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range.Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term“around”, “about”, “substantially” or “approximately” can be inferred ifnot expressly stated.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the presentinvention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-17.In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to LClens structures and applications of the same.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, an LC lens is schematically shownaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The LC lens has afirst substrate 111 and a second substrate 112 spaced apart from eachother, a liquid crystal layer 140 disposed between the first substrate111 and the second substrate 112, a plurality of first electrodestructures 100, and a plurality of first electrode structures 110.

Each first electrode structure 100 has a plurality of first electrodes120, a plurality of second electrodes 130, a plurality of thirdelectrodes 120′ and a plurality of fourth electrodes 130′. The pluralityof first electrodes 120 and the plurality of second electrodes 130 aredisposed between the first substrate 111 and the liquid crystal layer140, and spaced-apart and alternately arranged along a first transversaldirection 101, while the plurality of third electrodes 120′ and theplurality of fourth electrodes 130′ are disposed between the secondsubstrate 112 and the liquid crystal layer 140, and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along the first transversal direction 101. Each twoadjacent first and second electrodes 120 and 130 in each first electrodestructure 100 define a space 125 therebetween, while each two adjacentthird and fourth electrodes 120′ and 130′ in each first electrodestructure 100 define a space 135 therebetween. The space 125/135 definedbetween two corresponding adjacent electrodes 120/120′ and 130/130′ hasa width, Px. Additionally, each electrode of each first electrodestructure 100 has a width, W. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the firstelectrode structure 100, each of the first and second electrodes 120/130is overlapped with the space 135 defined between two correspondingadjacent third and fourth electrodes 120′ and 130′ in a verticalprojection direction 103, and each of the third and fourth electrodes120′/130′ is overlapped with the space 125 defined between twocorresponding adjacent first and second electrodes 120 and 130 in thevertical projection direction 103. As such, each of the first electrodes120 and the second electrodes 130 and a corresponding one of the thirdelectrodes 120′ and the fourth electrodes 130′ of each first electrodestructure 100 are aligned at a left tilted angle, θ_(i), as shown inFIG. 1A. Furthermore, each electrode of the first electrode structure100 has a central portion 120 c and two side portions 120 a and 120 boppositely extending from the central portion 120 c along thetransversal direction 101. The central portion 120 c and the two sideportions 120 a and 120 b of each of the first and second electrodes 120and 130 of the first electrode structure 100 are respectively overlappedwith the space 135 and the two corresponding adjacent third and fourthelectrodes 120′ and 130′ of the first electrode structure 100, in thevertical projection direction 103, and vice versa.

Each second electrode structure 120 has a plurality of first electrodes160, a plurality of second electrodes 170, a plurality of thirdelectrodes 160′ and a plurality of fourth electrodes 170′. The pluralityof first electrodes 160 and the plurality of second electrodes 170 aredisposed between the first substrate 111 and the liquid crystal layer140, and spaced-apart and alternately arranged along the firsttransversal direction 101, while the plurality of third electrodes 160′and the plurality of fourth electrodes 170′ are disposed between thesecond substrate 112 and the liquid crystal layer 140, and spaced-apartand alternately arranged along the first transversal direction 101. Eachtwo adjacent first and second electrodes 160 and 170 in each secondelectrode structure 110 define a space 165 therebetween, and each twoadjacent third and fourth electrodes 160′ and 170′ in each secondelectrode structure 110 define a space 175 therebetween. The space165/175 defined between two corresponding adjacent electrodes 160/170′and 160/170′ has a width, Px. Additionally, each electrode of eachsecond electrode structure 110 has a width, W. As shown in FIG. 1B, inthe second electrode structure 110, each of the first and secondelectrodes 160/170 is overlapped with the space 175 defined between twocorresponding adjacent third and fourth electrodes 160′ and 170′ in avertical projection direction 103, and each of the third and fourthelectrodes 160′/170′ is overlapped with the space 165 defined betweentwo corresponding adjacent first and second electrodes 160 and 170 inthe vertical projection direction 103. As such, each of the firstelectrodes 160 and the second electrodes 170 and a corresponding one ofthe third electrodes 160′ and the fourth electrodes 170′ of each secondelectrode structure 110 are aligned at a right tilted angle, θ₂, asshown in FIG. 1B. Moreover, each electrode of the second electrodestructure 110 also has a central portion 160 c and two side portions 160a and 160 b oppositely extending from the central portion 160 c alongthe transversal direction 101. The central portion 160 c and the twoside portions 160 a and 160 b of each of the first and second electrodes160 and 170 of the second electrode structure 110 are respectivelyoverlapped with the space 175 and the two corresponding adjacent thirdand fourth electrodes 160′ and 170′ of the second electrode structure110, in the vertical projection direction 103, and vice versa.

The plurality of first electrode structures 100 and the plurality ofsecond electrode structures 110 are alternately arranged along a secondtransversal direction 102, which is generally perpendicular to the firsttransversal direction 101. As shown below, the first and secondtransversal directions 101 and 102 are respectively coincident with arow direction and a column direction of an electrode matrix.

Each electrode of the first and second electrode structures 100 and 110can be formed of a transparent conductive material, a conductivematerial or a combination thereof, and a geometric shape of rectangle,square, circle, diamond, or polygon, or the likes. The transparentconductive material can be, such as, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zincoxide (IZO), or the likes. The conductive material can be a metal or analloy with pattern, such as, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, titanium,chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, or the likes. Eachelectrode of the first and second electrode structures 100 and 110 canbe formed of a stacked layer or a composition layer of the transparentconductive material and the conductive material.

Additionally, the LC lens 1 may optionally have a first alignment layer151 disposed between the first electrode structure 120 and the LC layer140, and a second alignment layer 152 disposed between the LC layer 140and the second electrode structure 130. The first alignment layer 151and the second alignment layer 152 are formed of, for example, apolyimide material.

In one embodiment, for each of the first and second electrode structures100 and 110, the first electrodes 120 and 160 are electrically coupledto a first voltage V1, the second electrodes 130 and 170 areelectrically coupled to a second voltage V2, the third electrodes 120′and 160′ are electrically coupled to a second voltage V2, and the fourthelectrodes 130′ and 170′ are electrically coupled a fourth voltage V4,respectively. Alternatively, in operation, the first voltage V1 isapplied to the first electrodes 121 of the first and second electrodestructures 100 and 110, the second voltage V2 is applied to the secondelectrodes 122 of the first and second electrode structures 100 and 110,the third voltage V3 is applied to the third electrodes 131 of the firstand second electrode structures 100 and 110, and the fourth voltage V4is applied to the fourth electrodes 132 of the first and secondelectrode structures 100 and 110, respectively. In one embodiment, thefirst voltage V1 is the same as one of the third and fourth voltages V3and V4, and the second voltage V2 is same as the other of the third andfourth voltages V3 and V4. Preferably, V1=V3 and V2=V4. In oneembodiment, the third and fourth voltages V3 and V4 are zero. In anotherembodiment, the third and fourth voltages V3 and V4 substantiallydifferent from one another. Each of the first, second, third and furthervoltages V1-V4 is a DC voltage or an AC voltage.

Accordingly to the invention, no disclination lines of the LCdistribution occur over the electrodes of the LC lens, when driven incertain driving modes.

For example, in a first driving mode as shown in FIG. 3A, the first andthird electrodes 120 and 120′ of the first electrode structure 100 areapplied with a predetermined voltage V1=+11V, while the second andfourth electrodes 130 and 130′ of the first electrode structure 100 areapplied with zero voltage, V2=0. Accordingly, there are no disclinationlines of the LC distribution over the electrodes of the LC lens. Asshown in FIG. 3B, the lens profile of the refractive index variation inthe direction of a normal incident light 105 is substantially proximalto the curvature of an ideal lens. The lens profile of the refractiveindex variation in the direction of a right oblique incident light 107,for example, at an angle of 30° from the normal incident direction 105,is substantially proximal to the curvature of a lens. However, therefractive index variation in the direction of a left oblique incidentlight 106, for example, at an angle of −30° from the normal incidentdirection 105 loses the lens profile, which thus results in asymmetriclens profiles for the left and right oblique lights.

In a second driving mode as shown in FIG. 4A, the first and thirdelectrodes 160 and 160′ of the second electrode structure 110 areapplied with the predetermined voltage V1=+11V, while the second andfourth electrodes 170 and 170′ of the second electrode structure 110 areapplied with zero voltage, V2=0. Accordingly, there are no disclinationlines of the LC distribution over the electrodes of the LC lens. Asshown in FIG. 4B, the lens profile of the refractive index variation inthe direction of a normal incident light 105 is substantially proximalto the curvature of an ideal lens. The lens profile of the refractiveindex variation in the direction of a left oblique incident light 106,for example, at an angle of −30° from the normal incident direction 105,is substantially proximal to the curvature of a lens. However, therefractive index variation in the direction of a right oblique incidentlight 107, for example, at an angle of 30° from the normal incidentdirection 105 loses the lens profile, which thus results in asymmetriclens profiles for the left and right oblique lights.

In certain embodiments, the predetermined voltage can vary from about ±1V to ±50 V.

In a third driving mode, all the first, second, third and fourthvoltages V1, V2, V3 and V4 are zero, i.e., all the electrodes of thefirst and second electrode structures 100 and 110 are grounded. The LClens has no lens effect, but a transparent optical component.

As disclosed below, such properties of the LC lens can be employed in adisplay to operably switch between a 2D display mode and a 3D displaymode. Further, the display in the 3D display mode can provide viewers 3Deffects with different wide viewing angles by changing the driving modes(driving voltages).

It should be appreciated that the exemplary LC lens of FIGS. 1-4 havingone first electrode structure 100 and one second electrode structure 110with each structure having a few of electrodes is shown merely for theillustration purpose of the invention, and the numbers of the firstelectrode structures 100 and the second electrode structures 110 and thenumbers of the first, second, third and fourth electrodes are generallylarger numbers.

According to in invention, the liquid crystal lens has the plurality offirst electrode structures 100 and the plurality of second electrodestructures 110 alternately arranged along the second transversaldirection 102. As such, the plurality of first electrodes 120 and 160and the plurality of second electrodes 130 and 170 of the plurality offirst electrode structures 100 and the plurality of second electrodestructures 110 define a first electrode matrix disposed between and thesecond substrate 111 and the liquid crystal layer 140, and the pluralityof third electrodes 120′ and 160′ and the plurality of fourth electrodes130′ and 170′ of the plurality of first electrode structures 100 and theplurality of second electrode structures 110 define a second electrodematrix disposed between the liquid crystal layer 140 and the secondsubstrate 112. Accordingly, each row of the first electrode matrix and acorresponding row of the second electrode matrix constitute one of theplurality of first electrode structures 100 and the plurality of secondelectrode structures 110. Additionally, each electrode in each row ofthe first electrode matrix is overlapped with the space defined betweentwo corresponding adjacent electrodes in the corresponding row of thesecond electrode matrix, and vice versa.

FIGS. 5-11 schematically show various patterns of electrode matrixes500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, or 1100, respectively, according todifferent embodiments of the invention. Each electrode matrix 500, 600,700, 800, 900, 1000, or 1100 can be the first electrode matrix or thesecond electrode matrix. Without intend to limit the scope of theinvention, the following disclosure of each electrode matrix 500, 600,700, 800, 900, 1000, or 1100 is in connection with arrangements (orpatterns) of the first electrodes 120/160 and the second electrodes130/170 of the first electrode matrix. It should be appreciated that thedisclosure is also applied to the second electrode matrix.

As shown in FIGS. 5-11, each electrode matrix 500, 600, 700, 800, 900,1000, or 1100 has a plurality of electrode rows 511 along the firsttransversal direction 101 and a plurality of electrode columns 512 alongthe second transversal direction 102 that is coincident with thelongitudinal direction. In each odd electrode row 511, the firstelectrodes 120 and the second electrodes 130 are alternately arranged,and each two adjacent first and second electrodes 120 and 130 define thespace 125 therebetween, while in each even electrode row 511, the firstelectrodes 160 and the second electrodes 170 are alternately arranged,and each two adjacent first and second electrodes 160 and 170 define thespace 165 therebetween. Accordingly, each odd electrode row 511corresponds to a first electrode structure 100, while each evenelectrode row 511 corresponds to a second electrode structure 110.Alternatively, each odd electrode row 511 can be corresponding to asecond electrode structure 100, while each even electrode row 511 can becorresponding to a first electrode structure 110.

In addition, the arrangements of the plurality of first electrodes120/130 and the plurality of second electrodes 130/170 in the pluralityof electrode columns 512 of each electrode matrix 500, 600, 700, 800 or900, 1000, or 1100 are different from each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, for the electrode matrix 500, thefirst electrodes 120/130 are arranged in the odd electrode columns 512of the matrix, while the second electrodes 130/170 are arranged in theeven electrode columns 512 of the matrix. Alternatively, the firstelectrodes 120/130 can be arranged in the even electrode columns 512 ofthe matrix, while the second electrodes 130/170 can be arranged in theodd electrode columns 512 of the matrix (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 6, for the electrode matrix 600, the first electrodes120/130 and the second electrodes 130/170 are alternately arranged ineach electrode column 512 of the matrix.

As shown in FIG. 7, for the electrode matrix 700, the first electrodes120/130 are arranged in the even electrode columns 512 of the matrix andthe second electrodes 130/170 are arranged in the odd electrode columns512 of the matrix. Each electrode column 512 has a first sub-column 512a and a second sub-column 512 b displaced from the first sub-column 512a. As such, the first sub-column 512 a of each electrode column 512 haselectrodes in the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows, while thesecond sub-column 512 b of each electrode column 512 has electrodes inthe even rows and no electrode in the odd rows. More specifically, thefirst sub-column 512 a of each odd electrode column 512 has the secondelectrodes 130 in the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows, thesecond sub-column 512 b of each odd electrode column 512 has the secondelectrodes 170 in the even rows and no electrode in the odd rows, thefirst sub-column 512 a of each even electrode column 512 has the firstelectrodes 120 in the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows, thesecond sub-column 512 b of each even electrode column 512 has the firstelectrodes 160 in the even rows and no electrode in the odd rows.

As shown in FIG. 8, the electrode matrix 800 has a similar arrangementto the electrode matrix 700 shown in FIG. 7, except that the firstsub-column 512 a of each electrode column 512 has electrodes in the evenrows and no electrode in the odd rows and, while the second sub-column512 b of each electrode column 512 has and electrodes in the odd rowsand no electrode in the even rows. Moreover, the first sub-column 512 aof each odd electrode column 512 has the second electrodes 170 in theeven rows and no electrode in the odd rows, the second sub-column 512 bof each odd electrode column 512 has the second electrodes 130 in theodd rows and no electrode in the even rows, the first sub-column 512 aof each even electrode column 512 has the first electrodes 160 in theeven rows and no electrode in the odd rows, the second sub-column 512 bof each even electrode column 512 has the first electrodes 120 in theodd rows and no electrode in the even rows.

As shown in FIG. 9, for the electrode matrix 900, the first electrodes120/130 and the second electrodes 130/170 are alternately arranged ineach electrode columns 512 of the matrix. Further, each electrode column512 has a first sub-column 512 a and a second sub-column 512 b displacedfrom the first sub-column 512 a. In the embodiment, the first sub-column512 a of each odd electrode column 512 has the second electrodes 130 inthe odd rows and no electrode in the even rows, the second sub-column512 b of each odd electrode column 512 has the first electrodes 160 inthe even rows and no electrode in the odd rows, the first sub-column 512a of each even electrode column 512 has the first electrodes 120 in theodd rows and no electrode in the even rows, the second sub-column 512 bof each even electrode column 512 has the second electrodes 170 in theeven rows and no electrode in the odd rows.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electrode matrix 1000 has a similar arrangementto the electrode matrix 900 shown in FIG. 9, except that the firstsub-column 512 a of each odd electrode column 512 has the secondelectrodes 170 in the even rows and no electrode in the odd rows, thesecond sub-column 512 b of each odd electrode column 512 has the firstelectrodes 120 in the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows, thefirst sub-column 512 a of each even electrode column 512 has the firstelectrodes 160 in the even rows and no electrode in the odd rows, thesecond sub-column 512 b of each even electrode column 512 has the secondelectrodes 130 in the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows.

As shown in FIG. 11, for the electrode matrix 1100, the first sub-column512 a of each electrode column 512 has the first electrodes 160 and thesecond electrodes 170 alternately arranged in the even rows and noelectrode in the odd rows, while the second sub-column 512 b of eachelectrode column 512 has the first electrodes 120 and the secondelectrodes 130 alternately arranged in the odd rows and no electrode inthe even rows.

According to embodiments of the invention, various LC lenses areprovided by utilizing the above disclosed electrode structures.Specifically, the LC lens includes has a first (bottom) substrate, afirst (bottom) electrode matrix disposed on the first substrate, an LClayer disposed on the first electrode matrix, a second (top) electrodematrix disposed on the LC layer, and a second (top) substrate deposed onthe second electrode matrix. The first and second electrode matrixes arepositioned such that each electrode row of the first electrode matrix isaligned with a corresponding electrode row of the second electrodematrix, and each electrode in each electrode row of the first electrodematrix is overlapped with the space defined between two correspondingadjacent first and second electrodes in the corresponding electrode rowof the second electrode matrix, and vice versa. Each of the first andsecond electrode matrixes can be one of the above disclosed electrodematrixes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1100, as shown in FIGS. 5-11,respectively.

According to the invention, each row of the first electrode matrix and acorresponding row of the second electrode matrix is corresponding one ofthe plurality of first electrode structures 100 and the plurality ofsecond electrode structures 110 of the LC lens. Both the first andsecond electrode structures in the LC lens can be the same or differentfrom one another. The latter is also called as a LC lens with a hybriddriving mode

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, without intent to limit the scope of theinvention, two exemplary embodiments of an LC lens are schematicallyshown according to the invention.

In the LC lens 1200 shown in FIG. 12, the top electrode matrix iscorresponding to the electrode matrix 600 shown in FIG. 6, while thebottom electrode matrix is corresponding to the electrode matrix 500shown in FIG. 5. For such an LC lens 1200, it can be characterized withmulti-areas with each area corresponding to one electrode row. Forexample, each of the odd electrode rows is corresponding to the firstelectrode structure 100, while each of the even electrode rows iscorresponding to the second electrode structure 110. For each of thefirst and second electrode structures 100 and 110, its lens profile inthe direction of a normal incident light 1201 is corresponding to thecurvature of an ideal lens. Additionally, each of the first and secondelectrode structures 100 and 110 operably has the lens profilesubstantially proximal to the curvature of a lens in particular angles.For example, in the area (the odd rows) shown in FIG. 12C, it producesthe ideal curvature profile of a lens for a normal incident light 1201and substantially proximal to the curvature profile of the lens for anoblique incident light 1202 at an angle −θ relative to the normalincident light 1201, while in the area (the even rows) shown in FIG.12D, it also produces the ideal curvature profile of a lens for thenormal incident light 1201 and substantially proximal to the curvatureprofile of the lens for an oblique incident light 1203 at an angle θrelative to the normal incident light 1201. Accordingly, the LC lens1200 has the better lens profiles over very wide viewing angles.

For the LC lens 1300 shown in FIG. 13, the top electrode matrix iscorresponding to the electrode matrix 800 shown in FIG. 8, while bottomelectrode matrix is corresponding to the electrode matrix 700 shown inFIG. 7. Similarly, the LC lens 1300 can also be characterized withmulti-areas with each area corresponding to one electrode row. Forexample, each of the odd electrode rows is corresponding to the firstelectrode structure 100, while each of the even electrode rows iscorresponding to the second electrode structure 110. Each area operablyhas better lens profiles in the normal direction and particular angles.For example, in the area shown in FIG. 13C, it produces the idealcurvature profile of a lens for a normal incident light 1301 andsubstantially proximal to the curvature profile of the lens for anoblique incident light 1303 at an angle θ relative to the normalincident light 1301, while in the area shown in FIG. 13D, it producesthe ideal curvature profile of a lens for the normal incident light 1301and substantially proximal to the curvature profile of the lens for anoblique incident light 1302 at an angle −θ relative to the normalincident light 1301. Accordingly, the LC lens 1300 has the better lensprofiles over very wide viewing angles.

FIG. 14 shows schematically an LC lens 1400 according to one embodimentof the invention. Similarly, the LC lens has a first substrate 111 and asecond substrate 112 spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystallayer (not shown) disposed between the first substrate 111 and thesecond substrate 112, a plurality of first electrode structures 100 anda plurality of first electrode structures 110 aligned along the firsttransversal direction 101. The plurality of first electrode structures100 and the plurality of second electrode structures 120 are alternatelyarranged along the second transversal direction 102, which is generallyperpendicular to the first transversal direction 101. However, in theexemplary embodiment, the first and second electrode structures 100 and110 rotate at an angle α, such that the first transversal direction 101has the angle α relative to the long edge 115/115′ of the first andsubstrates 111 and 112.

FIG. 15 shows schematically a hybrid LC lens according to one embodimentof the present invention, where the first and second electrodestructures 100 and 110 are substantially different from each other. Whendriven, both the first and second electrode structures 100 and 110produce the ideal curvature profile of a lens in the normal direction1501. However, the first electrode structure 100 produces substantiallyproximal to the curvature profile of the lens for the oblique incidentlight 1502, while the second electrode structure 110 producessubstantially proximal to the curvature profile of the lens for theoblique incident light 1503.

The above LC lens has applications in 3D displays. For example, as shownin FIG. 16, a display device 1600 comprises a display panel 1610, and anLC lens 1620 that is disposed on the display panel 1610. The displaypanel 1610 can be a liquid crystal display panel, an organic lightemitting display panel, an inorganic light emitting display panel, anelectro-wetting display panel, a field emission display panel, or aplasma display panel. Further, the display panel 1610 includes aplurality of pixels arranged in an array, and the first electrodestructures 100 are disposed corresponding to odd rows of the pixel arrayand the second electrode structures 110 are disposed corresponding toeven rows of the pixel array, or vice versus.

The LC lens 1620 is the LC lens disclosed above. The display device 1600also have a power supply 1630 for respectively providing a first voltageV1 to the plurality of first electrodes 120/160 of the first and secondelectrode structures 100 and 110, a second voltage V2 to the pluralityof second electrodes 130/170 of the first and second electrode structure100 and 110, a third voltage V3 to the plurality of third electrodes120′/160′ of the first and second electrode structure 100 and 110, and afourth voltage V4 to the plurality of fourth electrodes 130′/170′ of thefirst and second electrode structure 100 and 110. Each of the first,second, third and further voltages V1, V2, V3 and V4 can be a DC voltageor an AC voltage.

The display device 1600 can operably switch between a 2D display modeand a 3D display mode, based on the LC lens driving. For example, thedisplay device 1600 operates in the 2D display mode when the first,second, third and fourth voltages V1, V2, V3 and V4 are zero, as shownin FIG. 16A. The display device 1600 however operates in the 3D displaymode, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the first voltage V1 is the same as oneof the third and fourth voltages V3 and V4, and the second voltage V2 issame as the other of the third and fourth voltages V3 and V4, and thethird and fourth voltages V3 and V4 are substantially different from oneanother. For the 3D display mode, the display device 1600 can tracklocations of a viewer so as to change the driving mode to provide mostoptimal 3D image displays to the viewer based on the locations of theviewer. For example, if the viewer is in the first viewing zone, thedriving voltages are set V1=V3=11V and V2=V4=0. If the viewer is in thesecond viewing zone, the driving voltages are set V1=V3=0 and V2=V4=11V.Furthermore, when the viewer is in the first and second viewing zones,as shown in FIG. 16B, the viewer will view the image in a 3D format ifthe driving voltages are set V1=V3 and V2=V4 are set to be differentfrom each other.

In addition, one aspect of the invention also discloses a method ofdriving the above disclosed display devices. Generally, the methodincludes applying a first voltage V1 to the plurality of firstelectrodes of the first and second electrode structures, a secondvoltage V2 to the plurality of second electrodes of the first and secondelectrode structures, a third voltage V3 to the plurality of thirdelectrodes of the first and second electrode structures, and a fourthvoltage V4 to the plurality of fourth electrodes of the first and secondelectrode structures, respectively. Each of the first, second, third andfurther voltages can be a DC voltage or an AC voltage.

FIG. 17 shows schematically a flowchart 1700 of operating the displaydevice in various driving modes according to one embodiment of theinvention. Specifically, when the LC lens 2D/3D display is powered on(step 1710), it is determined whether the display operates in the 2Ddisplay mode or the 3D display mode at step 1720. When the display isset to operate in the 2D display mode, the first, second, third andfourth voltages V1, V2, V3 and V4 are set to be zero, and the displayoperates in the 2D display mode (step 1780).

Otherwise, when the display is set to operate in the 3D display mode,the location of a viewer (observer) can be detected at step 1730, whichcan be performed with, for example, motion detection sensors. If theviewer is in both the viewing zones 1 and 2, for example, in the middleview area, the LC lens is driven by both driving modes 1 and 2 at step1760, i.e. a normal 3D driving mode. If the viewer is in a viewing zone1, the LC lens is driven (or turned on) by driving mode 1 at step 1740.If the viewer is in a viewing zone 2, the LC lens is driven (or turnedon) by driving mode 2 at step 1750. Then, determining whether the LClens needs being turned off or not is performed at step 1770. If the LClens is turned off, the display operates in the 2D display mode (step1780). Otherwise, repeating steps 1730-1770.

In one embodiment, a normal 3D driving mode (both the driving modes 1and 2) is corresponding to a driving scheme in which the first and thirdvoltages V1 and V3 are same and set to be a predetermined voltage, whilethe second and fourth voltages V2 and V4 are zero (grounded). Thepredetermined voltage can be in a range of about ±1 V to ±50 V. Thedriving mode 1 is corresponding to a driving scheme in which the firstand third voltages V1 and V3 are adjusted to be another predeterminedvoltage, while the second and fourth voltages V2 and V4 are zero. Thedriving mode 2 is corresponding to a driving scheme in which the firstand fourth voltages V1 and V4 are adjusted the predetermined voltage,while the second and third voltages V2 and V3 are zero.

As discussed above, for the 3D display of an image, there is a need todetermine the location of the viewer if the display device is driven bythe normal 3D driving mode (both the driving modes 1 and 2) or a singledriving mode 1 or 2. However, if the display device is driven by thenormal 3D driving mode (both the driving modes 1 and 2), nodetermination of the viewer's location is needed.

In sum, the invention, among other things, recites an LC lens andapplications of the same. The LC lens includes a first substrate, asecond substrate, an LC layer disposed between the first and secondsubstrates, a plurality of first electrode structures and a plurality ofsecond electrode structures and a second electrode structure disposedbetween the LC layer and the second substrate. Each of the first andsecond electrode structures comprises has a plurality of first, second,third and fourth electrodes spaced-apart and alternately arranged alonga first transversal direction, where the first and second electrodes aredisposed between the first substrate and the LC layer, while the thirdand fourth electrodes are disposed between the second substrate and theLC layer. In each first electrode structure, each of the first andsecond electrodes and a corresponding one of the third and fourthelectrodes are aligned at a left tilted angle, while in each secondelectrode structure, each of the first and second electrodes and acorresponding one of the third and fourth electrodes are aligned at aright tilted angle. The first and second electrode structures arealternately arranged along a second transversal direction that isperpendicular to the first transversal direction.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventionhas been presented only for the purposes of illustration and descriptionand is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and their practical application so as toactivate others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims ratherthan the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments describedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal lens, comprising: a firstsubstrate and a second substrate spaced apart from each other; a liquidcrystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate; a plurality of first electrode structures, each firstelectrode structure comprising a plurality of first electrodes, aplurality of second electrodes, a plurality of third electrodes and aplurality of fourth electrodes, wherein the plurality of firstelectrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed betweenthe first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along a first transversal direction, and whereinthe plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodesare disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layerand spaced-apart and alternately arranged along the first transversaldirection such that each of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes and a corresponding one of the third electrodes and thefourth electrodes of each first electrode structure are aligned at aleft tilted angle; and a plurality of second electrode structures, eachsecond electrode structure comprising a plurality of first electrodes, aplurality of second electrodes, a plurality of third electrodes and aplurality of fourth electrodes, wherein the plurality of firstelectrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed betweenthe first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along the first transversal direction, and whereinthe plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodesare disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layerand spaced-apart and alternately arranged along the first transversaldirection such that each of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes and a corresponding one of the third electrodes and thefourth electrodes of each second electrode structure are aligned at aright tilted angle, wherein the plurality of first electrode structuresand the plurality of second electrode structures are alternatelyarranged along a second transversal direction that is different from thefirst transversal direction, wherein each of the first and secondtransversal directions is parallel to the first and second substrates.2. The liquid crystal lens of claim 1, further comprising a firstalignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and theplurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes ofthe plurality of first electrode structures and the plurality of secondelectrode structures, the first substrate; and a second alignment layerdisposed between the liquid crystal layer and the plurality of thirdelectrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodes of the plurality offirst electrode structures and the plurality of second electrodestructures, the second substrate.
 3. The liquid crystal lens of claim 1,wherein in each of the plurality of first electrode structures and theplurality of second electrode structures, each two adjacent electrodesdefine a space therebetween.
 4. The liquid crystal lens of claim 3,wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of secondelectrodes of the plurality of first electrode structures and theplurality of second electrode structures define a first electrodematrix, and wherein the plurality of third electrodes and the pluralityof fourth electrodes of the plurality of first electrode structures andthe plurality of second electrode structures define a second electrodematrix, and wherein each row of the first electrode matrix and acorresponding row of the second electrode matrix form one of theplurality of first electrode structures and the plurality of secondelectrode structures, and each electrode in each row of the firstelectrode matrix is overlapped with the space defined between twocorresponding adjacent electrodes in the corresponding row of the secondelectrode matrix, and vice versa.
 5. The liquid crystal lens of claim 4,wherein in the first electrode matrix, the first electrodes are arrangedin the odd columns and the second electrodes are arranged in the evencolumns, and in the second electrode matrix, the third electrodes arearranged in the odd columns and the fourth electrodes are arranged inthe even columns, or vice versa.
 6. The liquid crystal lens of claim 4,wherein in the first electrode matrix, the first electrodes and thesecond electrodes are alternately arranged in each column, and in thesecond electrode matrix, the third electrodes are arranged in the oddcolumns and the fourth electrodes are arranged in the even columns, orvice versa.
 7. The liquid crystal lens of claim 4, wherein in the firstelectrode matrix, the first electrodes and the second electrodes arealternately arranged in each column, and in the second electrode matrix,the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes are alternately arrangedin each column.
 8. The liquid crystal lens of claim 4, wherein eachcolumn of the first electrode matrix is aligned with a correspondingcolumn of the second electrode matrix, and wherein each column of thefirst and second electrode matrixes has a first sub-column and a secondsub-column displaced from the first sub-column, such that the first andsecond sub-columns of each column of the first electrode matrix arerespectively aligned with the first and second sub-columns of thecorresponding column of the second electrode matrix.
 9. The liquidcrystal lens of claim 8, wherein in one of the first and secondelectrode matrixes, the first sub-column of each column has electrodesin the odd rows and no electrode in the even rows, and the secondsub-column of each column has electrodes in the even rows and noelectrode in the odd rows, and in the other of the first and secondelectrode matrix, the first sub-column of each electrode column haselectrodes in the even rows and no electrode in the odd rows, and thesecond sub-column of each column has electrodes in the odd rows and noelectrode in the even rows.
 10. The liquid crystal lens of claim 4,wherein each electrode of the first and second electrode matrixes has acentral portion and two side portions oppositely extending from thecentral portion along the transversal direction, and wherein the centralportion and the two side portions of each electrode in each row of thefirst electrode matrix are respectively overlapped with the space andthe two corresponding adjacent electrodes in the corresponding row ofthe second electrode matrix, and vice versa.
 11. The liquid crystal lensof claim 1, wherein each electrode of the first electrode structures andthe second electrode structures has a geometric shape of rectangle,square, circle, diamond, or polygon.
 12. The liquid crystal lens ofclaim 1, wherein each electrode of the first electrode structures andthe second electrode structures is formed of a transparent conductivematerial.
 13. The liquid crystal lens of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof first electrodes of the first electrode matrix is electricallycoupled to each other, the plurality of second electrodes of the firstelectrode matrix is electrically coupled to each other, the plurality ofthird electrodes of the second electrode matrix is electrically coupledto each other, and the plurality of fourth electrodes of the secondelectrode matrix is electrically coupled to each other.
 14. The liquidcrystal lens of claim 13, wherein in operation, a first voltage isapplied to the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrodematrix; a second voltage is applied to the plurality of secondelectrodes of the first electrode matrix; a third voltage is applied tothe plurality of third electrodes of the second electrode matrix; and afourth voltage is applied to the plurality of fourth electrodes of thesecond electrode matrix.
 15. The liquid crystal lens of claim 14,wherein the first voltage is the same as one of the third and fourthvoltages, and the second voltage is same as the other of the third andfourth voltages, and wherein the third and fourth voltages are zero orsubstantially different from one another.
 16. The liquid crystal lens ofclaim 14, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth voltagesis a DC voltage or an AC voltage.
 17. The liquid crystal lens of claim1, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate have a longedge, and wherein the first transversal direction is in parallel withthe long edge or in an inclined angle with the long edge.
 18. A displaydevice operably switchable between a two-dimensional (2D) display modeand a three-dimensional (3D) display mode, comprising: a display panel;and a liquid crystal lens disposed on the display panel, comprising: afirst substrate and a second substrate spaced apart from each other; aliquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate; a plurality of first electrode structures, each firstelectrode structure comprising a plurality of first electrodes, aplurality of second electrodes, a plurality of third electrodes and aplurality of fourth electrodes, wherein the plurality of firstelectrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed betweenthe first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along a first transversal direction, and whereinthe plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodesare disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layerand spaced-apart and alternately arranged along the first transversaldirection such that each of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes and a corresponding one of the third electrodes and thefourth electrodes of each first electrode structure are aligned at aleft tilted angle; and a plurality of second electrode structures, eachsecond electrode structure comprising a plurality of first electrodes, aplurality of second electrodes, a plurality of third electrodes and aplurality of fourth electrodes, wherein the plurality of firstelectrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are disposed betweenthe first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and spaced-apart andalternately arranged along the first transversal direction, and whereinthe plurality of third electrodes and the plurality of fourth electrodesare disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layerand spaced-apart and alternately arranged along the first transversaldirection such that each of the first electrodes and the secondelectrodes and a corresponding one of the third electrodes and thefourth electrodes of each second electrode structure are aligned at aright tilted angle, wherein the plurality of first electrode structuresand the plurality of second electrode structures are alternatelyarranged along a second transversal direction that is different from thefirst transversal direction, wherein each of the first and secondtransversal directions is parallel to the first and second substrates.19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the display panel comprisesa liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting display panel,an inorganic light emitting display panel, an electro-wetting displaypanel, a field emission display panel, or a plasma display panel. 20.The display device of claim 18, wherein the display panel comprises aplurality of pixels arranged in an array, and wherein the firstelectrode structures are disposed corresponding to odd rows of the pixelarray and the second electrode structures are disposed corresponding toeven rows of the pixel array, or vice versus.
 21. The display device ofclaim 18, further comprising a power supply for respectively providing afirst voltage to the first electrodes of the first electrode structuresand the second electrode structures; a second voltage to the secondelectrodes of the first electrode structures and the first electrodestructures; a third voltage to the third electrodes of the firstelectrode structures and the second electrode structure; and a fourthvoltage to the fourth electrodes of the first electrode structures andthe second electrode structure.
 22. The display device of claim 21,operating in the 2D display mode when the first, second, third andfourth voltages are zero.
 23. The display device of claim 22, operatingin the 3D display mode when the first voltage is the same as one of thethird and fourth voltages, and the second voltage is same as the otherof the third and fourth voltages, and wherein the third and fourthvoltages are substantially different from one another.
 24. The displaydevice of claim 18, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and theplurality of second electrodes of each first electrode structure andeach second electrode structure are disposed on a surface of the firstsubstrate facing the liquid crystal layer to form a first singleelectrode layer thereon, and the plurality of third electrodes and theplurality of fourth electrodes of each first electrode structure andeach second electrode structure are disposed on a surface of the secondsubstrate facing the liquid crystal layer to form a second singleelectrode layer thereon.